The police's notice of rewards for the case is hung in the village in Putian, East China's Fujian, where the murder took place on October 10. Photo: media

A suspect of a high-profile murder case in Putian, East China's Fujian Province that left two dead and three injured has committed suicide while resisting police arrest, according to a police statement on Monday. The case has attracted much public attention and sparked discussion on grassroots governance. 

Despite the tragedy, observers have said that the investigation of the case should not stop, and an explanation should be given to the concerned public.

The suspect, surnamed Ou, 55, is a resident of a local village. He allegedly stabbed a family of five, who were neighbors to his family, over a long-term land dispute. The incident resulted in the death of two and leaving three injured on October 10. 

After a week on the run, Ou was found in a cave by the police on Monday. According to the police's statement, he resisted arrest and committed suicide on the scene. He died despite emergency rescue efforts after being sent to the hospital. 

In the past few days, the murder case has stirred up unusually heated public attention on the Chinese internet. Ou has garnered sympathy from many netizens after local media outlets unveiled details of the long-term dispute between Ou and his neighbors, the victims in the case. Many believe Ou was a kind man pushed to the brink by the land dispute with his neighbor, which made him resort to violence in the end. 

In a popular version of Ou's life story circulating online, he wanted to build a house for his family in the village, but his neighbor repeatedly prevented him to do so. He and his family, including his 89-year-old mother, had to live in a shabby shack for decades while his neighbors lived in a house next to them. Public sympathy even emerged after a man claimed that he was rescued by Ou from drowning at sea three decades ago. 

The Global Times could not immediately verify Ou's life story. 

At the same time, observers have pointed out that although Ou's story circulating on the internet is worthy of sympathy, it must not be used as an excuse for his murder. 

Analysts have said despite Ou's death, the investigation of the case should not be stopped, and an explanation should be given to the concerned public.

The three injured victims are currently in stable condition. Further investigation is ongoing. 

Global Times